By Martin E. Comas
The Orlando Sentinel
MINNEOLA, Fla. — City Council members today plan to discuss whether a new and larger fire station should rise next to City Hall.
Supporters of the move say Minneola’s Fire Department works in a 55-year-old cramped building on South Galena Avenue that is outdated and needs improvements.
They add building a new fire station on city-owned property adjacent to City Hall would speed firefighters’ response times because of its more central location.
The current facility is tucked away in a southwest corner of Minneola. At 1,000 square feet of livable space, the building has one bathroom, one shower and a small bunk room that doubles as a lieutenant’s office. It also has a kitchen and training room.
“It’s become totally inadequate for what we do,” said fire Chief Dave Dobrzykowski, calling it a “trick” the way that the department’s nine full-time employees and seven volunteers share the facility.
City staffers estimate that building a 15,000-square-foot fire station on city-owned property could cost as much as $2.5 million.
The new station would have four bays and could also be used by paramedics with Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services and Lake County deputy sheriffs, according to a proposal presented to council members by city staff.
The city has applied for federal grants to build such a structure.
Council member Pat Kelley said Friday he needed more information before deciding.
“I’m waiting patiently to see what staff has to say,” Kelley said. “It’s always nice to have a new fire station, but I don’t know what the urgency is.”
Minneola took over emergency services from Lake County in October 2005. At the time, Minneola had to start from scratch in building its Fire Department. The city purchased vehicles, trained new firefighters and paramedics.
The city also overhauled the Galena Avenue fire station previously used by county firefighters. Among other things, the building had a leaky roof, electrical problems and rodents.
City officials say the old building is in constant need of repair.
“The facility has seen its better days,” Mayor David Yeager said.
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